Welcome for new White Ribbon Ambassador – Mayor Justin Lester

Chief Ombudsman and Patron of White Ribbon Judge Peter Boshier presenting Mayor Lester with his White Ribbon.

White Ribbon is delighted to welcome Wellington Mayor Justin Lester to the White Ribbon team. He is passionate about the White Ribbon kaupapa and supporting change in our communities.

The event to welcome Mayor Lester was organised by fellow Ambassador Inspector Rakesh Naidoo of the Police and hosted at Police National Headquarters in Wellington by Police Commissioner (and White Ribbon Ambassador) Mike Bush. Mayor Lester was nominated by the National Council of Women.

Members of the National Council of Women and Multicultural New Zealand who nominated Mayor Lester with the Mayor and Judge Boshier

The event also celebrated the Phoenix Diversity and Inclusion Programme, which provides season passes and bus transportation for migrants, refugees and low income families to attend Phoenix games free of charge. In addition to being White Ribbon Ambassadors, the Mayors in the wider Wellington region are also vital supporters of this fantastic initiative, which highlights the important role sport can play in creating social cohesion.

Honoured guests at the Welcome

The fact that all four Mayors in the Wellington region (Mayors Justin Lester,  Mike Tana, Ray Wallace and Wayne Guppy) have become White Ribbon Ambassadors has provided significant support for key projects like the Youth Ambassador Leadership Programme to be rolled out in the region. The Mayors recently presented at the Youth Ambassador workshop on leadership empowering the next generation of leaders. We are extremely grateful for their support and willingness to use their platform to speak out against violence.

White Ribbon Campaign Manager Rob McCann with Mayors Justin Lester and Mike Tana on either side

If you would like to nominate someone to help spread the kaupapa as a White Ribbon Ambassador please download the nomination form here.